To follow in the footsteps of many of this

country’s greatest cricketers and footballers.

Such an opportunity will befall 10 of Cootamundra’s most avid junior cricketers

tomorrow when they take part in a special training program at the sacred ground.

And the news only gets better.

Not only will they get to spend an hour on the perfectly manicured turf of the SCG fine-tuning their skills under the direction of authorities from Cricket Australia, they will then be invited to watch the Australian One-Day team train ahead of their next match against the West Indies on Friday.

Following that they have an opportunity to

mingle with our national stars and secure

autographs that will no doubt take pride of place for years to come.

It is for those reasons, Will Bailey, Aaron and Blake Basham, Ryan Connell, Jason Cronin, Judd Kerrison, Matt Knagge, Luke Levett, Dominic Trinder and Joseph Trinder won’t get much sleep tonight.

Why they’re sure to wake up well before their alarms go off in preparation for one of the most memorable days of their young lives.

The opportunity came about after members of the junior cricket committee submitted an

application to attend one of a number of

promotional events this summer.

Opting to go with the one day training session as it gave the players the chance to play in the middle of the SCG, Coota’s application was drawn from a hat.

The kids were selected not so much for their cricketing ability, even though all 10 are more than handy players, but more so because they are the sons of parents who have given so much back to the junior association.

Like most sports, junior cricket in Cootamundra would only survive through the dedication of a group of adults who are prepared to give up an abundance of their time, not only on weekends in summer, but throughout the entire year to ensure the smooth running of the local

competition.

This trip is not only a reward for the kids, but also their parents.